MI Abrams maintenance performance analysis at the US Army's National Training Center

Abstract

To prepare for combat, the US Army utilizes the National Training Center (NTC) to test and certify all units before deployment to combat operations. During the past 5 years, observers have noted below standard Operational Readiness (OR) Rates in the MI fleet during training at NTC. The Army's Program Manager for the MI Abrams requested this thesis examine the MI performance at NTC, possible reasons for the performance, and recommend solutions to those issues. The first research question asks if Ml OR rates are statistically below the Army Standard. Through collection of OR data throughout the Army, this study confirmed using statistical hypothesis testing that OR rates at NTC are below standard. The next three questions used regression analysis to identify possible reasons for the low performance. During the course of the study, mileage driven on each tank both before and during NTC was proven to have no effect on tank performance. Analysis of the parts stockage breadth at NTC warehouses was shown to be effective at predicting parts failures, but could recover up to 1.3% OR rate by adding 28 additional parts to the normal stockage list. Finally, analysis of individual unit maintenance performance measures showed individual programs have significant effect on Ml OR rates, specifically when examining controlled substitution policy and proper reporting procedures. Recommendations for the correction of the problem include the development of a more reliable mileage reporting system, additional research specifically into the time requirements for each unit, additional training for unit maintenance leaders, and parts failures trends during high-intensity training.